A voltage converter transformer changes the voltage of the incoming current from wall outlets so that it can be used for various electrical appliances that require different voltages. Voltage transformers are widely used for small appliances of personal use like hair dryers, MP3 players, DVD players, coffee makers and cell phone chargers.

Gadgets are designed to work only for a certain voltage or voltage range. If the incoming voltage is too high, it will destroy the equipment and if the incoming voltage is low, the gadget will not work at all. So, a voltage converter ensures that the voltage supplied to the gadgets is within the safe limits. In most countries of the world, this range is from 220 volts to 240 volts but in North America and few other countries, it is 110 to 120 volts.

Step up and step down transformer

A step up transformer will step up voltage from one level to the next, i.e. from 110 volts to 220 volts while a step down transformer will step down the voltage from a higher reading to a lower one, e.g., from 220 volts to 110 volts. You may have to set the converter accordingly for step up or step down function, but a high end voltage converter will sense the voltage requirement of the electrical appliances and will do the needful automatically.

Do I need several voltage transformers for various appliances?

No. Use a surge protector to connect your several appliances with a single voltage transformer. However, you need to do a little mathematics at your end. Add up the wattages of all appliances and ensure that it is never more than what your voltage converter transformer may deliver as output. This way, you will ensure that you voltage converter and electronics are not damaged.

Should I purchase a voltage converter or a voltage regulator?

It largely depends upon the appliance you would use. A voltage regulator does the job just like a converter but at the same time it stabilizes the current to about 4 percent higher or lower of the standard voltage. So, if your appliance can tolerate current fluctuations, then you may safely use voltage regulators also.

Which one to buy? Step Up or Step Down?

You should purchase a voltage converters which has slightly higher wattage ratings than your appliances so that it can perform well with them. Take note that if you are moving from a country that has low voltage standards (110V) to a country that has higher voltage standard (220V), you will have to use Step Up transformer. In the opposite scenario, you will have to use Step Down transformer . Note that actual output voltage may vary from 75V to 130V where domestic voltage standard is of 110 volts, and from 180V to 260V in the countries where the standard voltage is of 220V.

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